One of the best things and the most magical thing Chicago Typewriter has is an extraordinary and complicated alpha-male character Seo Hwi Young.

How can you not love a man who is so noble to a fault that he would stay true to his beliefs and then watch him imprint the image of the woman he loves in his mind before he drew his last breath? – Gummimochi (Dramabeans)

The way he walks, the way he talks or keeps silent, his nonchalant smile, his deep penetrating eyes, and mysterious, calm, cheeky demeanor even when a gun is pointed to his forehead, they all scream “sexy”. But the most memorable thing from Seo Hwi Young is when he opens up, shows his vulnerable side and looks at people in the eyes. It’s so poignant yet powerful at the same time since he’s able to move many heart.

According to our Korean friend/translator Passerby, “휘영앓이” or “Hwi Young Fever/Love Sickness” is still going strong among Chicago Typewriter drama fans even after the drama was over. [Note: “앓이” is similar to love sickness or fever. E.g: “fallen head over heels in love with Hwi young”]

Passerby said, Koreans know that despite having a good look, Yoo Ah In never wanted to act based on his appearance. But funny thing is, there are quite many people became his new fans after watching the “Seo Hwi Young’s unrealistic beauty” which was deemed “similar to a prominent CG character”. [CG character is a computer generated human character]. There were a lot of jokes among drama fans saying that Seo Hwi Young’s CG used up a lot of Chicago Typewriter production cost 😀

Not only Korean drama fans, the international fans are smitten by Seo Hwi Young too. Besides drooling over his appearance, they love his idealistic, principle, and charismatic persona as well. In addition to that, all of us are in love with the magic of his legendary wig, which deserves the praise as “a work of art”.

Some drama fans said they were staring really hard at Yoo Ah In’s hairstyle in the 1930s to see whether it’s a wig or not, since it looks super natural, and it made them assumed the drama is pre-produced, as in, they filmed all the 1930s scenes first and then he shaved his hair for the present scenes. Some didn’t realized it’s a wig even after the drama ends. And some refused to believe it. A comment from Dramabeans says, “The best part of the legend – everybody doubts it’s a wig since it looks so real” 😀

Because this is an appreciation post to Yoo Ah In’s character Seo Hwi Young, here is a short praise compilation from Dramabeans:

michykdrama

Yoo Ah In’s smouldering in all the scenes is off the charts. I can understand why Soo Hyun was so flustered and Seol is so giddy in love because damn, 1930s hair or not, the boy is amazing and making me want to melt into a puddle of goo. Hwi Young truly is putting his cause first and his own personal life and love second, and I can’t help but swoon really really hard when you combine all that with Yoo Ah In and his 1930s hair. I’m just thanking the person that made his wig every day, that 1930s hair is amazing and adds to him being unbelievably swoony. 😍

earthna

Yoo Ah In needs to calm the hell down with his hotness. My heart jumps out of my chest whenever his 1930s self comes on screen. I just can’t get used to it. It’s too much. I don’t even call people “hot” but goodness me, he is HOT.

Wandergirl

At the risk of sounding like a broken record: Yoo Ah-in dressed up as Hwi-young is one hot human being.

I know I say this practically every episode but man, Yoo Ah-in is blowing my mind. He is so, so good at what he does! I was clutching my chest at Hwi-young’s farewell scene with Soo-hyun and his death scene, both were viscerally painful it felt like I had to hold myself together just to make it to the end. That act of defiance in the end, shooting himself then reaching in to his pocket for one last look at Soo-hyun’s picture was executed so well, down to the pause in music and the way that little tear fell down at the same time the blood was dripping from his wound.

I Will Goryeo You

I may sound like a broken record, but let me say this once again for the 13th time: Yoo Ah In as Seo Hwi Young is godamn gorgeous!

A rebel in dark suit with messy hair and deep voice are the epitome of a sexy leader Hwi Young ❤

Alert

It was never overused to say Hyu Young is truly gorgeous. He’s so good looking to the point that you can’t look elsewhere when he’s on screen. And I think we’ll have the same remark on how beautiful he is in every episode’s comments. Not that I mind.

Since we have established in every Chicago Typewriter thread that Hwi Young is so, so handsome, I just want to say that in this episode he’s not just handsome, but he’s also good looking, brilliant, genius, amazing, hot, sexy and basically all other similar synonyms in the dictionary.

m3lon4

We shall henceforth baptize Yoo Ah In’s 1930’s hair as The Hair, which is a character in itself (we can all see that it’s also putting on an acting performance) and a 100% winning candidate for Dramabeans’ end of year Mane of Glory award.

Kipp

I feel that the other commenters have already articulated my feelings better than I could myself with the reveals this episode, so instead can I just say, is Yoo Ah-in as Hwi-young hot or is he hot? Gawd, I think I found my perfect Frederick Wentworth. So intense, so charismatic, so noble.

Aanikha

Why can’t we have all 16 episodes only for the 30’s timeline? Yoo Ah In stole the show and Hwi Young’s love for Soo Hyun was something he potrayed so tragically without ever uttering a word until his death, it got me right in my heart.

Plumewine

I have to agree that 1930’s Yoo Ah In is…. mouth watering.

Sungjong

Yoo Ah In (as Seo Hwi Young) has a Leonardo DiCaprio air, doesn’t he? Especially the hairstyle. And I can sense that repressed energy too…along with some classic romance.

Blessingbeans

Yoo Ah In, in 1930’s took my breath away. He really suits that look. I never went gaga over his looks, but OMG, in the 1930’s look, he just seemed so very very good looking.

Closedtodreams

Past Yoo Ah In’s hair’s longer tousled look could be distractedly sexy. But I think I’d be OK with a little bit of rewinding. The things you do for dramas, right?

anoriori

Yoo Ah In is attractive all the time but ridiculously so in the 1930s timeline, let me breathe man…

ar

I feel a bit like a pervert doing so, but hot damn! That combination of Yoo Ah In’s 1930s look on top of an unexpected passionate kiss.

Sunflowerdiva

That was a fierce kiss with their gorgeous 30s styling and emotional background music. Excuse me while I go watch it again…

Myka

I haven’t been this attracted to a guy on my screen for so long, but Yoo Ah-in with that 30s style and that longing look twisted my heart.

osmanthustea

The style is perfect for him! It totally suits the devil-may-care look that he was carefully building to conceal his involvement in the resistance.

Alert wrote a beautiful “Eulogy to Seo Hwi Young” dedicated to his final moment~

Farewell, Seo Hwi Young

I love the way you smile
With your cute dimples galore
And I love the way you love your friends
And the way they love you more

I love the way you write
And your noble quest to make things right
The tough leadership that you portray
My fragile heart then goes astray

You look best in black Seo Hwi Young
With your messy hair covers your eyes
With glasses or not Seo Hwi Young
Your awesomeness is never a lie

I love the way you were having fun
Even the way you hold your guns
And I love the way you love
More so the way you cry

Sleep tight, sleep well Seo Hwi Young
You’ve done the best you can
Dream well, dream on Seo Hwi Young
Because you’re one hell of an amazing man

She also wrote a special thank you letter to Seo Hwi Young’s Wig Maker~

To whomever made that Seo Hwi Young wig,

Thank you for the wig. That wig is so legendary and I believe it shoots right to the top of the Best Wig Ever Made in Kdrama list – and that it will stay there for a long while (at least until Yoo Ah In’s next wig adventure). You made me believe that Yoo Ah In will look good in any wigs given to him. You gave us reasons to hope that once his hair grows, he will keep that Seo Hwi Young look for good. You should get an award for that, or at least a payrise for what you did there. To me, you revolutionized the significance of having great dramaland wigs, and I will never look at other wigs again without thinking of yours.

Not only in the drama forums, the fangirling over Seo Hwi Young is also happening at twitter until now. For the final appreciation of Seo Hwi Young, here’s a special fangirling moment presented by one of adorable Sikseekers -who refused to write by herself (read: being our contributor) because she’s super busy with school- uhs_trash 🙂

Annyeonghaseyo yeorobun!! I’m uhs_trash from Twitter. Thanks to Furbabe unni who gave me the chance to be guest writer here^^. This time I’m going to gush about our respected Sujangnim (leader):

SEO. HWI. YOUNG!!

Gawd his stare *_*

Let’s start from the earliest appearance of Hwi Young. First time I saw him was in the Chicago Typewriter trailer, this scene:

And I thought,

“OMG IS THIS KOREAN HARRY POTTER??!!! Because his hair, his round glasses, and his clothes are screaming ‘I’m a wizard’”

“You’re a wizard, past Han Se Ju”

You only need that lighting scar on your forehead and voila!! *cue Harry Potter theme song*

If somebody wants to do a Korean remake of Harry Potter, please cast Yoo Ah In. He will definitely rock the role.

He’s such a cute nerd. Always typing every time with messy hair and messy clothes, but perfect visuals. Why aren’t these kinds of nerds available in my school??!!! *crying a river*

Awww, our poor Harry hurt his hand and is late going to Hogwarts :’) But his visuals are no joke though. Even Daniel Radcliffe doesn’t look as fine and young as him (sorry for Daniel’s fans lol)

Oh, so finally our nerd dressed better and went to a club—but Y U BRING THAT TYPEWRITER OF YOURS, BOY??!! WHO F**KIN’ TYPES IN A CLUB??!!! CANT YOU JUST HAVE FUN AAARRRGHH I’m so frustrated grrrrrrr

Ah, finally fine suit and neater hair…but still writing again!!! In the club!!! Omo this nerd is no fun at all. Fortunately he got them visuals. If not, Imma just leave you to rot with that pen or typewriter or whatever you use to write idc anymore bye –”

“My homeland may be lost, but my words will not be taken away from me. If I cannot write, I am no different from a ghost. In a liberated Joseon, I will madly write whatever I wish.”

Okay, did I say something about rotting? SCRATCH THAT!!! HE’S CHARMING AF SAYING THOSE SENTENCES. Please write as much as you want jakkanim (writer)!! I live for your writings!! All hail Seo Hwi Young and his writings ulululululululu

All hail Seo Hwi Young jakkanim ululululululu

And finally they’re having fun—but why do I feel sad? :”) Let’s take a brief pause to enjoy this aesthetic:

Ah, so this chingu (friend) had proper education lol. Turns out he’s a medical student who left his education to write…And he treats Soo Hyun so kindly!! Awwwww…!!! Seonsaengnim (doctor), I want to be treated by you too!!! *tortures self to get doctor Seo’s attention* *but he’s busy treating Soo Hyun* *dies of blood loss*

WHAT?! WHO?! WHEN?! WHERE?! WHY?! HOW?! Why are they in masks?!!! Omona assassins?? Ninjas??? Aigoo how come he’s a medical student-turned-typewriter freak the other day and now masked assassins?!!! Whatever he is, he looks so cool and sexy af *_____* look at his sharp eyes that pierced right through fangirl’s heart. The pen is mightier than the sword, and Hwi Young’s eyes are sharper than the pen…

…and if you listen closely, his voice in this scene is extremely low and sexy. Not that deep low kind of voice but that low sexy, nearly a growl. Those kinds of voice which gives you goosebumps x_x need a link? Here, I provide it for you but listen at your own risk kekekekek

Welcome to Seo Hwi Young’s voice worshipper club.

Omoooo now our masked warrior saves Soo Hyun!!! Notice that his sharp eyes has gone and replaced by a pair of loving, worried eyes. Omoooo.

Please save my heart too, masked warrior oppa!!

Wa, wa, wa, wait. Wait a second. So he is the leader?! HE IS THE LEADER?!! That messy, nerdy guy who writes trashy novels is the leader of the rebels?! Please take my life, leader-nim!! I shouldn’t have badmouthed you from the start!!! TT_______TT

And now, our most awaited scene…!!!!

HOLY SHEET THAT IS A ONE HELLA STEAMY PASSIONATE KISS!!!! JUST LOOK AT HIS LIPS OMONA SUCKS HER LIPS AND LIFE OUT OF HER AND HIS HAND HOLDING HER TIGHT LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW AAAAAAAKKKKKKK ASDJGOIBCUWVATQ LOST OF WORDS

*faints*

Okay, okay, let’s take a deep breath and continue to the next story :”

Lol look at his face. Our pouty nerd is back!! I still don’t get the purpose of this scene tho. Why eggs?? WHY?!! WHY THE EGG GOT THE CHANCE TO FEEL HWI YOUNG’S SMOOTH CHEEK BUT I DON’T??!! WHY IS AN EGG LUCKIER THAN ME??!! WHY WASN’T I BORN AS AN EGG :’(((

Now our rebel boys (we got the organization name—Jo Cheong Maeng or Joseon Youth Alliance) are ready to teach those Japanese a lesson!! This is the best Hwi Young’s appearance so far. Neat hair, neat suit, and do I spot a new pair of glasses there?? Wow, so this guy actually knows how to dress, he just won’t do it lol.

And I curse Shin Yul for spilling the beans!!! Yes, I know it’s not entirely his fault but I’m still holding a grudge against him –” if it’s not for him, we wouldn’t get to see our Sujangnim like this:

Wait. Is this really Seo Hwi Young Sujangnim?? Not a schoolboy on his way to school??

Hey kid, don’t play with guns like that!! People will get hurt >:O

And he runs here and there…till Young Min finds and shoots him!!…

…and suddenly he transforms into an idol group member. YES HIS HAIR OMONA WHY DO YOU ONLY SHOW YOUR KILLER VISUAL WITH THE BEST HAIR NOW WHEN YOU’RE ABOUT TO DIE???!!! WHY??!!! PLEASE DON’T DIE NOW WE NEED THOSE VISUALS LONGER!!!!!

WHAAAAAA HE MEETS SOO HYUN!!! I’M SAD AND IN LOVE AT THE SAME TIME SO HE’S NOT DEAD??!! HE SURVIVED AND MEETS SOO HYUN??!! WITH 11/10 VISUALS OMO ARE YOU SURE HE’S 32 Y.O (Korean age)??!!! HUAAAAAAA I’M BAWLING MY EYES OUTTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTT

*BANG*

:”((((

Goodbye, Seo Hwi Young. You may be dead, but thanks to you, we can now enjoy the liberated country :”) Your dedication will never be forgotten.

THE END

BONUS:

I was Twitter-casted by Furbabe unni when she saw me tweeting about Seo Hwi Young’s visuals in the last episode~ kkkk. At that time I wrote about which idol group does Seo Hwi Young belong because he has complete idol group visuals, and YAI Sikseekland (sikseekers) Twitter admin replied me, it’s Jo Cheong Maeng (JYA aka Joseon Youth Alliance) and the fandom is called dongji (aka comrades) lmaooooo (Sikseekland has funny admins^^)

So I imagined what if Jo Cheong Maeng was really an idol group??!!! And I made this^^

I cannot stop grinning from ear to ear! Thanks for the lovely photos and cute notes. And I like the fabulous poem, too. ^0^ ‘Hwi Young’s eyes are sharper than the pen.’ I agree! And sexier than anything!!

Thanks for everything! I love the movie, I’ve watched it several times in a row. Thank you for the writings and the news. Thank you for seeing Yoo Ah In and your movies, I can read my thoughts. I love the whole team.
Köszönöm! Thank you! 감사합니다!